Algeria Explores Novel Concept: Colonialism Is Bad
Algeria’s parliament is apparently grappling with a revolutionary idea: that occupation and brutalization of a sovereign people might, in fact, be a criminal act. This headline makes it sound almost unprecedented, as if the UN Charter on human rights didn't exist or historical justice wasn’t a thing. Meanwhile, nations like the US continue to bankroll governments engaged in real-time,
internationally condemned occupations, like Israel's 57-year-long grip on Palestinian territories. The optics suggest some colonial histories are more equal—and more criminalizable—than others. One might wonder if Washington, fresh off approving more military aid to governments openly flouting international law, will rush to condemn Algeria for daring to define its own history. The difference?
Algeria isn't lobbying Congress with millions in dark money. If the world suddenly criminalized all forms of past and present colonialism and occupation, congressional ethics committees might actually have to work for a living.